Catholic journalist blasts 'immoral' Vatican call to encourage births

A Vatican call for encouraging births is “not just stupid, it is immoral,” according to the head of an Asian Catholic news service.

Father William Grimm, the publisher of the Tokyo-based UCANews, objected to a question in the survey distributed by the Vatican to the world’s bishops in preparation for the Synod meeting of 2014: "How can an increase in births be promoted?" While objecting to many aspects of the pre-Synod survey, Father Grimm argued that the question “stands out for its breathtaking irresponsibility.”

Arguing that the force of human population has strained the earth’s resources, Father Grimm said that the Church should encourage family planning. He remarked that this could be done without violating the Church’s ban on artificial contraceptives, by recommending natural family planning.

Additional sources for this storySome links will take you to other sites, in a new window.

Dear reader: If you found the information on this page helpful in your pursuit of a better Catholic life, please support our work with a donation. Your donation will help us reach seven million Truth-seeking readers worldwide this year. Thank you!

Progress toward our March expenses ($31,294 to go):

$35,000.00
$3,706.25

89%
11%

Sound Off!CatholicCulture.org supporters weigh in.

All comments are moderated. To lighten our editing burden, only current donors are allowed to Sound Off. If you are a donor, log in to see the comment form; otherwise please support our work, and Sound Off!

Another Maryknoll priest out of control. Do they have a functioning superior? Start by buying him a Roman collar and a copy of the Catechism of the Catholic Church!!

Posted by: hartwood01 -
Dec. 09, 2013 8:55 PM ET USA

I always thought marriage would help a lot of priests experience what it's like in the trenches. Everything is done for them,they are not up night after night with new babies or sick children,or an ailing parent. A parent's day is a 24/7 one with no real"day off". To say nothing of the financial responsibilities....Some priests understand this,but you'll never hear it from the pulpit,only how hard they have it.

Posted by: normnuke -
Dec. 09, 2013 8:13 PM ET USA

The 'population bomb' never went off. You didn't notice?

Posted by: unum -
Dec. 09, 2013 6:57 PM ET USA

Somewhere another bishop is no doing his job, letting an ego-driven clergyman spout off to the faithful.
Around the world, loose cannons in the clergy are confusing the laity instead of teaching clearly (as Jesus did).

Posted by: nix898049 -
Dec. 09, 2013 2:42 PM ET USA

The last line of Rev Grimm's ignorant, snide, rant of a commentary pretty much tells you all you need to know about what he's really put out about. Some people have never gotten passed the 1960s,I fear.